What does this indicator measure?

This indicator measures the percentage change in arrests and police contacts with juveniles under the age of 18, where there was probable cause that an offense was committed but no formal charges were filed.  The types of crime relating to the arrests include murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s New York State experienced a surge in youth violence and arrests. This increase prompted the state to establish the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Program. The number of youth arrests in Onondaga County decreased more than 24% from 2004 to 2008.